The Fokker F.VII
Not only for the many subsequent versions of the F.VII itself, but also for Fokker models that followed.
Designer Walter Rethel used the less successful F.V as a model for the F.VII design.
He eventually settled on a single-engine high-wing aircraft powered by a water-cooled 360 hp Rolls-Royce Eagle 12-cylinder V-engine.
Some aircraft were later fitted with a 400 hp air-cooled nine-cylinder Bristol Jupiter radial engine.
The complex landing gear on the first F.VII was later extensively redesigned and fitted with suspension.
The F.VII flew with both wooden and aluminium propellers.
The cockpit accommodated two pilots, and the cabin had room for six passengers.
The maiden flight took place on 11 April 1924, flown by Fokker test pilot Herman Hess.
All five aircraft built were purchased by KLM; KLM later sold several F.VII aircraft to other airlines.
One of the five F.VII aircraft built was shipped to the Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, the Fokker factory in Teterboro, USA, in 1927 after serving with KLM.
The 1924 flight to what was then the Dutch East Indies in a Fokker F.VII is well known.
The H-NACC left Schiphol on 1 October 1924 and arrived in Batavia on 24 November.
The last two F.VII aircraft remained in service until 1936, one of them with KLM.
Mr. van Lear Black, an American millionaire, chartered a Fokker F.VIIa aircraft and crew from KLM several times between 1927 and 1929. Mr. van Lear Black did this not primarily for business, but because he enjoyed flying around “a little,” just for fun. Pilots Geijssendorffer and Scholte were his regular crew for these flights, all made in the same aircraft. Lear Black valued comfort, so the aircraft was fitted with five large wicker armchairs that converted into beds, complete with plenty of cushions and a small table. These replaced the usual eight fixed passenger seats. The aircraft was also fitted with an extra fuel tank in the wing. Van Lear Black was known to dislike travelling by train or car and regarded an aircraft as his everyday means of transport.
He first made several flights around Europe with his regular KLM crew in the Fokker F.VIIa. On 14 May 1928, Lear Black set off on a London–Cape Town–Cairo–Tokyo–London flight. On the return journey, all the engines were first replaced in Cairo before the flight to Tokyo. The journey then continued via Iraq, British India, Burma and China to Tokyo.
The journey covered 26 countries and included an unprecedented 31 stops. During his time flying with KLM, Lear Black clocked up around 177,000 km, which must have made a substantial contribution to KLM’s revenue.
One of Lear Black’s best-known journeys was probably to the Dutch East Indies. The trip attracted the attention of the international press, which gave it extensive coverage.
At half past eight in the morning on Wednesday, 15 June 1927, Lear Black departed Schiphol for Batavia with his personal butler, Leo Bayline, and his regular crew, Geijssendorffer and Scholte. KLM engineer Weber was also on board. Lear Black’s personal secretary was originally due to join them, but had not yet fully recovered from an illness.
At the time, this was the longest passenger flight, covering 15,195 km in 15 days, with several rest days for Lear Black. In effect, these were the first long-distance and intercontinental charter flights in aviation history.
From 15 June to 23 July, the flight went to Batavia and back, covering more than 30,000 km. The departure is filmed here. KLM director Plesman was present to welcome this important customer.
On their return to Amsterdam, the entire crew was awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau. Scholte (1), Lear Black (2), Geijssendorffer (3) and Weber (4) were also awarded the Silver Medal of the City of Amsterdam in recognition of their achievements.
Sources: www.delpher.nl newspaper articles from 1927 and 1928
The two pilots: Scholte on the left and Geijssendorffer on the right
